"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." Henry David Thoreau
These words are a variation on the old theme that actions speak louder than words. Although we need to have dreams in order to enrich our lives, dreamswithout plans, dreams without action, are doomed to grow bitter with time. Once again,, we need to difine the word "success"very broadly. More than simply financial security, success can mean finding a positive relationship, communicating better with family members, or even finishing a household project that has been languishing for month Thoreau is reminding us that the only way to change ideas into realities is to use our energy to s.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
3 types of music
For most people, music has become the soundtrack of their lives. We are so immersed in TV and movies, as well as video games, that we imagine our daily routine is punctuated by the appropriate songs to reflect our moods. For me, my lack of good hearing has left music as a choice, and n ot n inescapable reality. Specifically, I choose music to enhance three different activities: For exercising, I choose rock music; for meditating, I choose instrumental music; and for listening, I choose singer/songwriter music.
First, when I exercise at the gym, I must listen to music through my earbuds. I have found that if I can't hear myself gasping for breath, I don't feel so tired; furthermore, I can't concentrate if I have to listen to the cheerful yuppies who work out before going to their jobs every morning. For those reasons, I blast rock 'n roll into my brain while I try to reverse the againg process and what it is doing to my body. The thumping of the bass guitar and the banging of the drums ehlp me to focus on feeling strong and healthy.
At other times of the day, I want to meditate, to practice minfulness in order to feel more connected to the world around me. Instrumental music helps me to open up my consciousness.When I was a young man, we used to call this kind of music "head music." I suppose that idea feel myself continues for me; instrumental music, often of the type known as "New Age,"helps me to relax andfeel integrated into the moment. By giving me a sound upon which to focus, instrumental music helps me to reach out and absorb my environment.
Most importantly, I love to listen to music. For me, listening is an extremely active exercise. I want to hear the music, to understand the words, to feel the emotion. At these times, I especially love the poetry of the human voice. For that reason, the music of singer/songwriters is my favorite; there is nothing so beautiful to me as one person, singing his or her own words, accompanied by the simple sounds of a guitar or piano. Maybe my love for this poety derives from my years of studying literature. But whatever the reason, there is a magic in the way that the human voice interprets and pronounces the written word. I believe that is why our oldest music comes from the rhythm of people using their voices as instruments.
Although it is late now in my life, I have never abandoned the hope of doing more than simply enjoying the music that others have created. One of my greatest desires is to somehow make music. I was not blessed with a lovely singing voice, but still, I yearn to use what skills I have in order to make music. In some ways, this is the simplest and most personal way that we can express ourselves in our lives.
First, when I exercise at the gym, I must listen to music through my earbuds. I have found that if I can't hear myself gasping for breath, I don't feel so tired; furthermore, I can't concentrate if I have to listen to the cheerful yuppies who work out before going to their jobs every morning. For those reasons, I blast rock 'n roll into my brain while I try to reverse the againg process and what it is doing to my body. The thumping of the bass guitar and the banging of the drums ehlp me to focus on feeling strong and healthy.
At other times of the day, I want to meditate, to practice minfulness in order to feel more connected to the world around me. Instrumental music helps me to open up my consciousness.When I was a young man, we used to call this kind of music "head music." I suppose that idea feel myself continues for me; instrumental music, often of the type known as "New Age,"helps me to relax andfeel integrated into the moment. By giving me a sound upon which to focus, instrumental music helps me to reach out and absorb my environment.
Most importantly, I love to listen to music. For me, listening is an extremely active exercise. I want to hear the music, to understand the words, to feel the emotion. At these times, I especially love the poetry of the human voice. For that reason, the music of singer/songwriters is my favorite; there is nothing so beautiful to me as one person, singing his or her own words, accompanied by the simple sounds of a guitar or piano. Maybe my love for this poety derives from my years of studying literature. But whatever the reason, there is a magic in the way that the human voice interprets and pronounces the written word. I believe that is why our oldest music comes from the rhythm of people using their voices as instruments.
Although it is late now in my life, I have never abandoned the hope of doing more than simply enjoying the music that others have created. One of my greatest desires is to somehow make music. I was not blessed with a lovely singing voice, but still, I yearn to use what skills I have in order to make music. In some ways, this is the simplest and most personal way that we can express ourselves in our lives.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Response 1
. If you want to achieve greatness stop asking for permission. ~Anonymous
Ultimately, this quotation tells us that we need to be self-reliant, but not in the sense of working alone. Instead, it urges us to be our own critics, and not to trust our ideas to the opinions of others. Although it is never easy, we all need to find the core of our self-image, and then listen to the voice inside that guides us in the best direction to realize that self-image. No other person, no matter how much he or she may love us, can ever guide us as well as our own desires, our own destiny. The advice here is to stop checking with others before following that internal voice. Not only will we feel more comfortable with our actions, but we will take the responsibility for our lives away from our families, our co-workers, our friends, and put it back into our own hands.
Ultimately, this quotation tells us that we need to be self-reliant, but not in the sense of working alone. Instead, it urges us to be our own critics, and not to trust our ideas to the opinions of others. Although it is never easy, we all need to find the core of our self-image, and then listen to the voice inside that guides us in the best direction to realize that self-image. No other person, no matter how much he or she may love us, can ever guide us as well as our own desires, our own destiny. The advice here is to stop checking with others before following that internal voice. Not only will we feel more comfortable with our actions, but we will take the responsibility for our lives away from our families, our co-workers, our friends, and put it back into our own hands.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
A Good Friend
We all meet thousands of people in our lives. Most of these people disappear unnoticed. Some become acquaintances, and a few of these become our friends. Very few continue to grow closer to us, so that we call them good friends. What are the qualities that these select few share? Good friends share our interests and hobbies; they enjoy spending time with us; and they are always willing to help us when we have problems.
First, on a practical basis, good friends must have things in common with us, so that we can share interests and hobbies. If you love to dance, your good friends will likely also love to dance. Perhaps you study a foreign language. A good friend may just study with you. Of course, you don't need to share every interest with your good friends; but without a common passion, you will not develop that level of friendship that comes when two people have a similar hobby.
Next, goodfriends must love to spend time together. Consider the last paragraph, concerning common pasttimes. Obviously, at any given time and place there will be hundreds of people following this same tinterest. But to be good friends, two people must communicate so well and delight in each other's company so much that each experiences more pleasure when the other is there. For example, it will be more fun to dance if your good friend is with you at the club.
Finally, and most importantly, good friends must support you when your life is not all rainbows and unicorns. We all have periods in our lives when our problems seem enormous. Good friends are not afraid of us when we are sad, or angry, or even desperate. Instead, they take the time to help us. You never need to ask a good friend for help when you are in trouble; they always seem to know, and they are there to give you their help.
Maybe the best way we can make and keep more good friends is to practice these three wualities ourselves. If you want to have a good friend, then be a good friend. Friendship is not a passive condition that results when people spend time together. Rather, it is the result of an active desire to transform a routine acquaintance into the kind of lifelong friendship that makes both lives better.
First, on a practical basis, good friends must have things in common with us, so that we can share interests and hobbies. If you love to dance, your good friends will likely also love to dance. Perhaps you study a foreign language. A good friend may just study with you. Of course, you don't need to share every interest with your good friends; but without a common passion, you will not develop that level of friendship that comes when two people have a similar hobby.
Next, goodfriends must love to spend time together. Consider the last paragraph, concerning common pasttimes. Obviously, at any given time and place there will be hundreds of people following this same tinterest. But to be good friends, two people must communicate so well and delight in each other's company so much that each experiences more pleasure when the other is there. For example, it will be more fun to dance if your good friend is with you at the club.
Finally, and most importantly, good friends must support you when your life is not all rainbows and unicorns. We all have periods in our lives when our problems seem enormous. Good friends are not afraid of us when we are sad, or angry, or even desperate. Instead, they take the time to help us. You never need to ask a good friend for help when you are in trouble; they always seem to know, and they are there to give you their help.
Maybe the best way we can make and keep more good friends is to practice these three wualities ourselves. If you want to have a good friend, then be a good friend. Friendship is not a passive condition that results when people spend time together. Rather, it is the result of an active desire to transform a routine acquaintance into the kind of lifelong friendship that makes both lives better.
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